Written Answers Nos. 70-89
70. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if certificates will be issued to the families of those who received a medal of honour for services during the War of Independence in cases in which the medal itself has subsequently been lost or stolen; the way in which a family in such circumstances can apply for a certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14510/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Defence receives requests from time to time for the replacement of lost, stolen or destroyed medals awarded to Veterans of the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence. In relation to such requests, it has been settled policy for many years that replacement medals were issued on a once-off only basis on receipt of a bona-fidé request from the Veteran to whom the original medals were awarded. This policy was adopted in the interest of preserving the intrinsic value of the medals and to strictly limit the number of medals issued in any particular case. Although all of the Veterans are now deceased, the rationale for restricting the issue of replacement medals is still valid. Apart from the intrinsic value of the medals, their monetary value on the open market is also a factor.
In 2006, the then Minister for Defence decided that, where 1916 Rising/War of Independence medals had been lost, stolen or destroyed, official certificates, in both Irish and English, would be issued in such cases confirming that the relevant medal(s) was/were awarded to the named Veteran. The procedure in such cases is that the family can obtain an application form from the Pensions Administration Section of the Department of Defence in Áras an tSáile, Renmore, Galway, H91 AN2E (telephone - 091 743899 or email – pensions.admin@defence.ie). Once the form is completed and returned to the Department, the details will be verified by the Department and, if in order, the relevant certificate/s will be issued (generally to the next of kin) on a once-off basis.
71. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount that his Department has spent on social media training and consultancy in each year since 2016. [14565/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has not been any expenditure in my Department in relation to social media training and consultancy as outlined in the Deputy’s question.
72. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if training has been delivered in his Department on the use of social media (details supplied); the frequency and cost of this training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14581/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo training has been supplied in my Department in relation to social media in respect of the organisations outlined in the Deputy's question.
73. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the value of contracts for services awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department since 2010, in tabular form; and the type of work undertaken by the company. [14626/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the period since 2010 my Department has no record of having awarded any contracts to the company referred to by the Deputy.
74. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the most up-to-date figures for the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces with regard to all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14697/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits the Permanent Defence Forces have taken on to date in 2018 with regard to all three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14699/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 76 together.
As of the 28th February, 2018 (the latest date for which figures are available), the whole time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force, across all three services and ranks, broken down by gender was as follows: -
|
Service |
Total Personnel |
Female Personnel |
|
Army |
7,281 |
490 |
|
Naval Service |
1,046 |
68 |
|
Air Corps |
730 |
33 |
|
Total |
9,057 |
591 |
To return to, and maintain, the agreed strength levels, significant targeted recruitment took place in 2017 and has now commenced for 2018. A total of 751 personnel were inducted in 2017; of which 73 (9.72%) were female.
Two Direct Entry Medical Officers (1 Male, 1 Female) and a Direct Entry Naval Service Officer (Male) have been inducted in 2018. It is anticipated that in the region of 800 personnel, comprising of General Service Recruits, Apprentices, Cadets and Direct Entry Officers will be recruited to the Permanent Defence Force in 2018.
Current competitions consist of:
- A General Service Recruitment Competition, commenced on 26th March 2018 and closes on 22nd April 2018.
- An Air Corps Apprentice Aircraft Technician Competition, commenced on 3rd March 2018 and closes on 25th May 2018.
- A competition for Cadets is due to launch very shortly.
I remain committed to maximising recruitment of capable personnel, developing serving personnel, and so achieving the best personnel and skills combination to ensure the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all roles required of them by government.
75. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the most up-to-date figures for the strength of the Reserve Defence Forces with regard to all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14698/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits the Reserve Defence Forces have taken on to date in 2018 with regard to all services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14700/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 77 together.
As of 28th February 2018 (the latest date for which figures are available), the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force (Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve) was as follows:
|
Service |
Total Effective Personnel |
Female Personnel |
|
Army Reserve |
1,653 |
232 |
|
Naval Service Reserve |
124 |
21 |
|
Total |
1,777 |
253 |
I am aware that there is a shortfall between these figures and those of the establishment, which provides for 4,069 personnel. The most recent recruitment campaign for the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve began in July 2017 and attracted 1,221 applications, of which 162 were female applicants. A total of 139 new recruits were inducted into the RDF in 2017, of which 10 were female. To date in 2018, 38 personnel have been inducted to the Reserve Defence Force, of which 4 are female. There are plans to launch the next Reserve recruitment campaign in the 2nd quarter of 2018.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I remain committed to the ongoing development of the RDF within the framework set out in the White Paper on Defence.
78. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of suspect devices that the Army disposal unit has dealt with to date in 2018, by county in tabular form. [14701/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams respond when a request for assistance is made by An Garda Síochána in dealing with a suspect device. The number of EOD callouts, which include viable devices, hoaxes, false alarms, post-blast analysis and the removal of unstable chemicals in laboratories dealt with up to date in 2018, by county, are set out in the following tabular statement:
|
County |
Number |
|
Dublin |
5 |
|
Kildare |
3 |
|
Clare |
1 |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Galway |
1 |
|
Total |
16 |
79. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of days spent at sea by members of the Naval Service Reserve in 2017 and to date in 2018. [14702/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of days spent at sea by members of the Naval Service Reserve in 2017 and 2018 to-date is as follows:
|
Year |
Sea Days |
|
2017 |
167 days |
|
2018 |
Nil to date |
80. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a proposal by an organisation (details supplied). [14918/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has consistently been recognised by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) for the quality of our aid programme and the emphasis we place on achieving results for the poor, particularly in least developed countries. The OECD DAC has also commended Ireland for its consistent record on, and commitment to untied aid. The Government’s policy for international development, One World One Future, reaffirms our commitment to providing “aid that is not conditional on the procurement of goods and services from Ireland”. Ireland’s aid to developing countries continues to be untied and our long term commitment to untied aid remains firm.
Ireland does however recognise that the private sector has the potential to have a transformative impact on the world’s poor. Over the last decade, companies and investors have become more engaged in addressing development problems, largely through corporate social responsibility (CSR) and philanthropy initiatives, particularly in Least Developed Countries. Ireland provides support to countries to develop an enabling environment for the private sector to achieve both inclusive and sustainable economic development. Some of the €165 million provided by the Irish Government to Non-Governmental Organisations in 2016 was used to promote an enabling environment for private sector development. This funding equated to 23% of Ireland’s official ODA contribution for that year.
In addition, a joint initiative between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – the African Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) provides opportunities for the Irish Agri-food sector to link with their counterparts in sub-Saharan Africa. Through this programme partnerships are being developed supporting sustainable growth of the local food industry, building markets for local produce and supporting mutual trade between Ireland and Africa.
Additionally, Irish development cooperation funding is also targeted to the improvement of the business climate in our key partner countries, for example Ireland’s partnership with the World Bank in Mozambique assisting the local Ministry for Industry and Commerce remove barriers for business activity. Similarly, Irish Aid has assisted the creation of an accountancy training body in Mozambique, in partnership with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Ireland, developing an essential human resource base for both the public and private sectors.
In addition to our aid programme, Irish Embassies in developing countries work closely with Irish business, supporting them to increase investment and trade with partner countries, creating jobs and contributing to development and innovation. We will continue to support this work, while maintaining our commitment to untied aid.This work is both in our interest and that of the countries where we have a presence.
81. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of efforts being made on the needs of the undocumented Irish in the United States of America in view of his St. Patrick's Day visit to the United States of America; the extent to which ongoing negotiations continue to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14547/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe long-standing tradition of meetings at the highest level in Washington DC around St. Patrick’s Day affords Ireland a unique opportunity to engage with the US Administration and Congressional leaders at the highest level on issues of particular interest to Ireland, including immigration reform. For many years now, during the annual St. Patrick’s Day visits and throughout the rest of the year, the Irish Government has consistently conveyed to the US Administration and Congressional leaders the priority which Ireland attaches to immigration reform in the United States, while at all times respecting that US immigration policy is a matter solely for the US authorities to formulate and implement.
In encouraging our friends in the US towards immigration reform, we have two key objectives: increased pathways for legal migration by Irish citizens to the US and relief for the plight of undocumented Irish citizens living in the US.
In that regard, the Taoiseach discussed the issue with President Trump in the Oval Office on March 15 last and also in his meetings on Capitol Hill during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day visit.
In addition to the exchanges over the St. Patrick’s Day period, I had previously raised the issue with then-Secretary of State Tillerson when I visited Washington DC last month. The Government’s Special Envoy to the United States Congress on the Undocumented, Deputy John Deasy, has also been very active, while our Embassy in Washington DC is engaged with the Administration and with contacts on Capitol Hill on an ongoing basis.
Through these many high-level contacts and discussions, whether over the St. Patrick’s Day period or at other times, the Government has been exploring a number of different options, including the possibility of a reciprocal agreement covering the undocumented Irish in the US, on the one hand, and US citizens looking to move to Ireland, on the other.
However, this remains a very challenging issue and I do not want to raise expectations unduly. Immigration reform has been a divisive issue within the US political system for decades, with pronounced disagreement, even within the same political parties, on the best way to deal with an issue which directly affects over 11 million people.
In that context, finding a solution for the thousands of undocumented Irish in the US remains a difficult task.
That said, I can assure the House that the Government, its Special Envoy and our Embassy in Washington DC are continuing to give top priority to this issue, during the annual St. Patrick’s Day visits and throughout the rest of the year, mindful of its importance to the thousands of undocumented and to their families in Ireland, and that we will spare no effort in seeking a solution.
82. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consideration that was given to assisting Ireland in relation to Brexit in the St Patrick's Day ministerial visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14548/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt. Patrick’s Day provides Ireland with an unparalleled opportunity to promote our political and economic interests abroad, as well as access to key political and business contacts in leading markets around world. Recommendations for Ministerial travel over the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day period were based on input from our Team Ireland network of diplomatic missions and state agency offices overseas, in addition to consultation with Departments and Agencies at home on where Ministerial visits would have most significant added value in promoting Ireland’s interests internationally. The Taoiseach, Government Ministers, Chief Whip and I travelled overseas during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day period to promote Ireland and Ireland’s interests around the globe. The Attorney General, Ceann Comhairle and Cathaoirleach of the Seanad also participated in the ‘Promote Ireland’ programme of St. Patrick’s Day visits. In total, the programme of visits encompassed 38 countries, including 26 cities across the EU.
The majority of the destinations chosen in 2018 were priority markets for Ireland’s trade, tourism and investment interests, where a high-level political presence reinforced the year-round promotional efforts of our diplomatic teams and state agencies in market. Ministerial visits to the EU were prioritised in 2018 given the importance of building strategic alliances in the context of Phase II of the Brexit negotiations and, looking forward, a post-Brexit European Union. Three Ministers also travelled to the UK to continue to build on the very important British Irish relationship. Ministerial programmes provided an opportunity to explore market diversification possibilities for Irish companies.
A set of key messages, including extensive material on Brexit, was provided to Ministers and the Embassy network in advance of St. Patrick’s Day, to ensure a coordinated and coherent approach to our overseas engagement.
In addition to Brexit, this year’s St. Patrick’s Day programme provided a platform for Ministers to deliver key messages on Northern Ireland, Ireland’s campaign to become a member of the UN Security Council in 2021-22 and the Irish economy.
83. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the elements of the December 2017 joint report (details supplied) that relate to trade and regulations with regard to cross-Border trade on the island of Ireland have been fully agreed by Britain to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14559/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the United Kingdom maintaining full alignment with those rules of the internal market and the customs union which, now or in the future, support North-South co-operation, the all-island economy and the protection of the Good Friday Agreement must be the default starting point for North-South alignment pending the agreement of other solutions as set out in Article 49 of the December 2017 Brexit agreement. [14709/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent comments by the British Brexit Secretary of State, Mr. Davis, that the British Government would not agree to the backstop option as proposed which is contrary to the recent agreement reached at the European Council; if he has raised this matter with the European Commission and-or Mr. Davis since those comments were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14765/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 87 and 99 together.
I have clearly communicated Ireland’s position and priorities in relation to the draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland to the EU Taskforce as well as to my UK counterparts in recent weeks. I met with Michel Barnier immediately on 26 February and again on 19 March, following the recent round of intensive negotiations with the UK. Recent engagement with British Ministers has included the Minister for the Cabinet Office, David Lidington, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, David Davis, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley.
I welcome the progress made on the draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland during the most recent round of EU-UK negotiations, which concluded on 19 March. This is recorded in an annotated, colour-coded version of the draft Withdrawal Agreement published by the Commission Taskforce on 19 March, which reflects agreement on some articles of the draft text, including the Common Travel Area and Other Areas of North South cooperation.
During the negotiations, the UK also accepted that a legally operative version of the ‘backstop’ for the border will be included in the Withdrawal Agreement, in line with paragraph 49 of the Joint Progress Report agreed last December, and that all the issues identified in the draft Protocol reflect those that must be addressed. These were important steps forward.
The European Council, in agreeing additional negotiating Guidelines on 23 March, stressed that work remains to be done in order to achieve overall agreement on the draft Withdrawal Agreement, especially with regard to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. It reiterated that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. To this end, an intensive schedule of negotiations has been agreed between the EU and the UK with a view to continuing efforts to narrow the remaining gaps on the draft Protocol and its annexes, including with regard to Article 4, which addresses the free movement of goods between Northern Ireland and the EU. The overall aim is to maintain full alignment with those rules of the Single Market and Customs Union that are necessary to protect North South cooperation and the all-island economy as well as to avoid a hard border. It will be necessary for all the EU rules involved to be listed exhaustively in annexes to the Protocol and that work is continuing.
The first rounds took place earlier this week and more will be held over the coming weeks. Irish officials will be involved in some of these meetings where the Taskforce believes that this would be helpful, and we will of course remain in close contact with it.
84. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount that his Department has spent on social media training and consultancy in each year since 2016. [14569/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if training has been delivered in his Department on the use of social media (details supplied); the frequency and cost of this training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14585/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
The Training needs of my Department are identified as part of the annual goal setting phase of the Performance Management Development System (PMDS). They are then analysed and necessary training is provided in a number of areas including social media. In-house expertise is used wherever possible and training on the use of social media is generally delivered by the Communications Unit in my Department at no additional cost.
The information requested by the Deputy regarding training that has been delivered on the use of social media including the amount spent on social media training and consultancy since 2016 is set out in the table. However, from time to time the Department’s 80 missions overseas may incur modest miscellaneous expenses in relation to social media training.
|
Date |
Description |
Organised by |
Cost |
|
19 January 2016 |
Facebook training for missions |
DFAT Communications Unit with Facebook |
NIL |
|
21 January 2016 |
Twitter training for missions |
DFAT Communications Unit with Twitter |
NIL |
|
12 May 2017 |
Twitter Training for NGOs |
|
NIL |
|
6 June 2017 |
Social Media training |
DFAT Communications Unit with Twitter |
NIL |
|
21 June 2017 |
Social Media training |
DFAT Communications Unit with Twitter |
NIL |
|
03 August 2017 |
Pre-posting Training |
DFAT Communications Unit |
NIL |
|
23 August 2017 |
Social Media Training |
DFAT Communications Unit |
NIL |
|
10 November 2017 |
Twitter Training for NGOs and Government |
|
NIL |
|
19 January 2018 |
“Building and Sharing Content on Social Media” |
DFAT Communications Unit |
NIL |
86. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the value of contracts for services awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department since 2010, in tabular form; and the type of work undertaken by the company. [14630/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo contracts have been awarded by my Department to the company referred to by the Deputy.
88. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his role with responsibility for Brexit. [14710/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra100. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of contingency planning under way within his Department and State agencies for the impact of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14934/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 100 together.
Co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department.
Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome, bringing together the detailed work being undertaken by individual Ministers and their Departments on issues within their policy remit, is now well advanced. Its focus is on the immediate regulatory and operational challenges which would result from such an outcome. It assumes a trading relationship based on the default WTO rules, but also examines the possible effects on many other areas of concern. This work is therefore providing baseline scenarios for the impact of Brexit across all sectors, which can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations, including in regard to transition arrangements and the future relationship. It also takes account of the planning being undertaken at EU level by the new Commission Preparedness Unit, which is issuing information notes aimed at different business sectors.
The Government is already acting in order to get Ireland Brexit ready. Dedicated measures were announced in Budget 2018, including a new €300m Brexit Loan Scheme for Business and a €25m Brexit Response Loan Scheme for the agri-food sector as well as additional supports for capital investment in the food industry and Bord Bia marketing and promotion activities, amounting to over €50m in total. Additional capital expenditure allocation of €4.3bn over four years will also allow the State and its agencies to properly plan major infrastructure projects while ensuring that communities and businesses can plan ahead. There was also increased funding provided to my Department for the opening of six new diplomatic missions as part of Global Footprint 2025, which will contribute to helping our exporters find new markets. Our Government’s enterprise agencies continue to work with companies, helping them to deal with Brexit – making them more competitive, diversifying market exposure, and up-skilling teams.
Longer-term economic strategies will also be critically important in addressing the challenges of Brexit, notably Ireland 2040 –the National Development Plan. The Enterprise Strategy 2025 is also under review and we are in active discussions with the European Investment Bank on a potential increase in investment in the country.
Before the summer the Government will finalise a paper, building on that published in May 2017, on our approach to the negotiations and our latest assessment of the economic and sectoral challenges posed by Brexit and our responses to them.
89. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated cost of reaching the 0.7% ODA/GNP target from its current base of approximately 0.3%, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14714/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas development cooperation programme and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. For 2018, the Government has allocated just over €707 million for ODA, the third consecutive year ODA has increased. Based on current estimates, it is anticipated this level of allocation will see ODA amount to approximately 0.3% of GNI in 2018.
The current Programme for Government sets out our ambition to meet the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA), as resources permit. The intention is to reach the target by 2030, the timeframe for UN Sustainable Development Goals. Progress towards the 0.7% target will need to be made in a sustainable and manageable way, building on Ireland's recognised role as a reliable and effective partner in combatting global poverty and hunger, and in providing humanitarian assistance. In order to prepare that managed progression towards the UN target, a new White Paper on Irish overseas development assistance will be produced this year. Reaching the 0.7% target will involve significant increases to the ODA budget. Where these increases might be best focused and how they can be managed prudentially and effectively will require careful planning and consultation, including with other Government Departments and stakeholders more generally. The White Paper process will give direction in this regard, as will the recent report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence on Irish Aid.
The following table sets out a sample stepped scenario for meeting the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA by 2030, with interim targets of 0.4% in 2022, 0.5% in 2026 and 0.6% in 2028.
|
Year |
Total ODA - In € millions |
ODA as a % of Projected GNP |
|
2018 |
707.10 |
0.30% |
|
2020 |
906.37 |
0.35% |
|
2022 |
1,109.29 |
0.40% |
|
2024 |
1,323.96 |
0.45% |
|
2026 |
1,560.65 |
0.50% |
|
2028 |
1,986.83 |
0.60% |
|
2030 |
2,459.13 |
0.70% |
As GNI is calculated in arrears, forecasts for Gross National Product (GNP) are used as a proxy for GNI in the above calculations.
